Clive Christian Furniture Garden Kitchen
August 24, 2021
Clive Christian Furniture brings stylish and inspired design capabilities to the outdoors for the first time in its near five-decade history with the introduction of the Garden Kitchen.
The outdoor kitchen utilizes the brand’s signature materiality and craftsmanship, offering an ode to the prestige of living life well and a reflection of the true artistry involved in luxury furniture design. What started as a private commission for a repeatedly loyal Clive Christian Furniture client, turned into a complete passion project for head of design Oliver Deadman.
The Garden Kitchen cabinetry reflects one of the most identifiable elements in many yachts — the pinstriped deck. Created by inlaying ebonized Iroko sections into the door and drawer fronts, this detailing showcases the brand’s expertise in marquetry, a skill synonymous with Clive Christian. Peppered throughout the design are elements of the wider Clive Christian portfolio, such as the distinctive inlay detail, displayed within the brand’s Metro Deco kitchen collection, contrasting internals, opulent materials selection and dovetail internal box detailing, which is a signature of the brand.
Further cementing the furniture’s longevity and nautical nuances, the yacht grade decorative hardware includes deck cleat handles, all finished in an elegant mirror polish stainless steel, subtly brandishing the Clive Christian mark.
Materiality is king at Clive Christian, but it must not come at the cost of the environment. Made from Iroko (whose botanical name “Chlorophora Regia” translates as Royal) it is sustainably sourced and is naturally resistant to insects and decomposition. In the design, Clive Christian accentuated the natural grain structure further by adding a warm golden hue. Additionally, though Iroko is known for its hardy nature, the cabinetry has a further layer of UV-blocking lacquer on top, which has been formulated in a way that mimics the natural flexibility of a traditional oiled finish. The topcoat sinks into the timber, creating a protective coat that moves with the timber removing the risk of cracking or flaking, which would ben expecting with a traditional varnish or lacquer.
The Garden Kitchen, like all Clive Christian Furniture rooms, is designed around the client’s specific requirements, and the scale and proportion of the appliances